Gusseted plastic handbag



Aprii 9, 1946. J. SAMUELSON GUSSETED PLASTIC HANDBAG Filed Oct. 31, 1944 Patented Apr. 9, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GUSSETED PLASTIC HANDBAG Janet Samuelson, Lehighton, Pa.

Application October 31, 1944, Serial No. 561,237

9 Claims.

This invention relates to handbags having walls characterized by a multiplicity of decorative plastic elements.

Heretofore such handbags have been made with the decorative plastic elements strung on tapes at the side and end walls of the bags. These bags have therefore been without the flexible end gussets which add so much to utility and convenience that they were practically always used before the advent of these plastic handbags. gussets in plastic handbags were that they clashed in appearance with the rest of the handbag and that they did not lend themselves to reliable and inexpensive fabrication with the bottom and side walls of the handbag.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a plastic handbag having improved means including gussets or whereby gussets are reliably and cheaply connected to the bottom and side walls of the bag.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a handbag having end gussets and improved plastic decorative portions partly overlying the gussets without interfering with their freedom of movement.

I have found that the cheapest and best way of connecting gussets of pliable, material to the plastic side walls is to thread the horizontal lacing of the plastic decorative elements through The reasons for the omission of the holes cut in the edge portions of the gussets.

But these unfinished holes eventually become ragged and it would be too expensive to finish them off with eyelets or by sewing. I'have accordingly conceived the idea of utilizing portions of adjacent decorative plastic elements for the dual purpose of concealing the holes in the gussets and of affording plastic ornamentation at least partly overlying the gussets.

Another object of the invention, therefore, is to provide improved means comprising a perforated gusset secured by the lacing of the plastic decorative elements, the latter having portions overlying the perforations.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a handbag having improved means whereby the lacing referred to is also threaded through the overlying plastic portions to more securely anchor the gusset in the adjacent corners of the bag and to facilitate the threading.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means whereby certain of the plastic elements have reenforced extensions at the gusset, which extensions may be adapted to protect the-adjacent lacing.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means whereby extensions of plastic elements are operative to prevent the -gussets from being pushed outward by the contents of the bag. p

Another object of the invention is to furnish improved means'such that the extensions of certain of the plastic decorative elements at the end 'gussets shall not interfere with the flexing or bulging of the side wall under the pressure of the contents of the handbag.

Another object of the invention is'to furnish improved plastic decorative elements having extensions as set forth and being adapted to be inexpensively molded.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in View, the invention comprises the novel features, combinations and arrangements 'of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the an-. nexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing a handbag embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation thereof.

Fig; 3 is a similar view but showing the handbag in closed position.

Fig.- 4 is an enlarged end View like that of Fig, 2 but with parts broken away.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig 6 is a rear plan view of a decorative plastic element according to the invention,-with lacing tapes shown in dot-dash lines.

Fig 7 isa view in end elevation showing a modification of the invention, with parts broken away along the dot-dash line.

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of. Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a rear plan view of a plastic decorative element according to the modification.

Fig. 10 is an edge view of another modification of a plastic decorative element.

Fig. 11 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view like that of showing another modification.

Fig. 13 is a rear plan view of a modified plastic decorative element according to Flg.-12.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined, but, useful em- Fig. 8 but bodiments may be produced involving less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing a preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, denotes a handbag embodying the invention. The same may comprise side walls l6 and a bottom wall I! comprising plastic decorative elements I8 interlaced in one or more directions, as shown for example, in my copending patent applications Serial Nos. 553,680 and 554,493. At the top isan opening closed by a slide fastener 19 or other suitable means.

At the ends of the handbag are provided gussets 20 of a pliable material such as leather, textile or plastic. These gussets are provided along their marginal portions with perforations 2| through which p ss the corresponding horizontal tapes or lacing 22. The easiest way of assembling the side walls-is to thread each horizontal tape through the holes in the flanges or sides 23 of 'the-box-like elements [8 and form each tape 'a ioop 'knotted-at 24 at the rear of the side wall. 'The vertical tapes'25may be similarly arian'gedfand knotted 'or secured at their upper and lower endsto upper'and lower portions of the lining. In either case, 'the'object is to maintain some tensionfon the tapes 22, 25 to hold the 'plastic decorative elements snugly together. In this instance, the horizontal tapes or loops engage the gussets 20 in holes 2| to thus secure the 'gussetsa'tthe sides aswell as at the-bottom or" the bag. {Any desired number'of rows of plastic decorative elements may 'be provided at the bottom to make the handbag of any required width.

The holes 2| are unfinished and hence become ragged, and in the'c ase'oftextile, unraveling may result. Alsothe'gii'ssets 20 form a peculiar unflattering contrast with'the decorated plastic side walls. Accordingly, I provide special plastic decorative elements 21 along thebottom and side 'e'dg'es'of each'gusset, similar to those at l8 and mounted in like manner except that these elemeats 21 are each'provided with an extension 28 adapted to overlie the holes 2l. As shown in Figs.-5--and 6, the extension 28 is connected to the main body of element 21 by a spacing wall portion 29 which may be thickened for strength. At this portion 29, the extension 28 may be as long at 28a as the adjacent side wall 30 of the element 21, and connected thereto by wall portions'28b. The extension is spaced from the adjacent sidewall 30 through the hole whereof the tape 22 is threaded sufiicientl'y to permit the threading. To permit easy molding, the extension 28 is parallelto the wall 3'0, and it extends sufficiently beyond the latter to amply conceal the hole 2l. These extensions '28 are smaller than the wallsjfl, an'd niay be of ornamental tab like form as'shown in Fig. 4 st) that they'clear -eachother;atthe corners, and so that they are veriieanyspaeed frc in' each ether to jpe rniit the side wails'of the handbag to flex or bulge out- 'e've'n'aga'iris't the extensions 28.

wardly without obstruction. This arrangement also facilitates the threading of the tape 22 outwardly through the flange 30 past the extension 28, after which the tape is passed through the hole 2l' and knotted at 24. If desired this can be done before any of the tapes is knotted, the gusset being loose for easy access to its holes, and then all th tapes threaded through the gusset may be pulled up snugly and knotted. Eventually a stifiener member or board 3| afiixed to the lining 32 or otherwise mounted may be inserted into the bag body to bear against the gusset 20 for pressing the edge portions of the gusset outward into alinement with the walls 30 or At any rate, the gusset cannot be pushed outward at its edge portions beyond these extensions In Figs. 7 to 11 is shown a modification of the invention wherein the elements 35 are substituted for those at 21. In this case, the extension is formed as a part "oi the s'ide 'fiange 30 of element 27, but maybe thickened for strength, this extension having otherwise the same shape as the parts shown at 28 and 28a. However, the

extension 36 is formed with spaced openings at 31, 38 in alinement with each other, through which the horizontal tape 39 is successively threaded to "formthe 'knotted'loop above referred to. This 'tape 39 may be looped tinder itself "at 4'0 'ciosely adjacent "to the g iset -M to retain the latter against the extension 36, and the marginal portion of thegusse't may be folded or'curledat in for increased bulk and reliable engagement with the tape 39 holding it "agaiiijs't the'extension.

The elements '35 are "threaded much more easily and quickly beo'a'use their openings are fully accessible, and it is easier to pull iip and knot each 't'a'pe 39 as soon "as it has been threaded in place. Also "the hole 38 affords "a secure anchorag'e which will avoid distortion of the adjacent part of the gusset by the tension of the tape, "and the latter 'can'exie'nd laterally at an acute angle to snugly -engage around the marginalportion of the gusset, Hence the stiffener 3'! may be omitted. In "other respects, the remarks addressed to the elements 21 may apply here.

Figs. loses 1 show an eminent 42 "like that at 35 but modified for added ornamentation, and 'to prot'eet the exposed part'sf'of 'the tapes from rubbing "and other wear. Therefore, the ribs 4sexi'eii da1o'ng tn'e exterision ll'a'nd areadapted to "receive 'therebetween and to thus protect the parts of the horizontal tapes'expos'e'd a's at 15. These rihs are'sha'p'edso' that the -elements 42 "can be e'alsilyjtilld out O'f a simple i'nold, but they may be df varieddecbrative appearance.

Another'advahta'gie of the element 42 is that the main part of'the extehsi'onrha'y'be made quite thin "so that th 'h'oie's is, d1 corresponding to those'at31,38"can be 'pu'riched out, as these holes are'difliciilt'toii'riold. Henc'et h'e ribs act s-as a reenforcement and may -extend partly along the front wall of the element. Suchreinforcement is important s'ih'ce'the 'exteiisions'd'd'might otherw se be broken.

Figs 1 2 and 1 3 is shown another modification wherein the plastic decorative elements '50 serve to hold the-gussets 5| -atleast partially bent inward "about their central fold line and prevent the gi'iss'ets flrofn being-pushedoutward by "the contents oflthe bag. This is always a problem and is s'om'etimes overcome by acentral partition connected to the gusset-s,-but-su'ch-partition adds substantially to the cost of manuiacture. In this instance, the elements 50 are substituted for those at 21 and 35, comprising extensions 52 extending angularly inward from a side wall or flange 53. In other respects the extensions 52 may be like those at 35 or may be ribbed as at 43, and they are beveled off at their ends as at 55a. Preferably a stiff element or cardboard 54 is used to press a loop portion 55 of a horizontal tape 55 against the extension 52 to assist in angularly holding the gusset at the angle of the extension 52. A lining 51 extends along the side walls of the bag, and at 58 along the gussets thereof.

The invention illustrates a continuous tape loop holding tightly a horizontal row of decorative elements and lacing through a pliable expansible end gusset for strongly securing the latter.

I claim:

1. A handbag having flexible side walls each having horizontal rows of decorative elements, horizontal lacing interconnecting the elements, including loop members for all the elements of each row, and end gussets connected to the loop members, the elements adjacent to the gussets having extensions overlying and concealing the ussets at the connections, the extensions being at an angle to the side walls, said extensions being tapered to permit the side walls to flex.

A handbag having side walls each having horizontal rows of decorative elements, lacing interconnecting the elements, including lacing members for each row, and end gussets connected to the lacing members, the elements that are adjacent to the gussets having extensions each of which extends beyond the main body of the element and overlies and conceals the connection between the gusset and the lacing member.

3. A handbag having side walls each having horizontal rows of decorative elements, lacing interconnecting the elements, including a lacing member for each row, and end gussets connected to the lacing member, each gusset having a hole for each lacing member and each adjacent element having a first hole and an extension having a second hole, the lacing members passing through both holes of each adjacent element and through an adjacent hole in the gusset, the extension being at an angle to the main body of its element and overlying the portion of the gusset at the hole of the latter.

4. A handbag having side walls of decorative interlaced elements, end gussets, and portions rigidly connected to those elements that are adjacent to the gussets, said portions being at an oblique inward angle to the main bodies of their elements to bear against the gussets and to thus deflect the gussets inwardly.

5. A handbag having side walls having horizontal rows of decorative elements, the main body portions of the elements lying in the planes of their respective side walls, those elements lying along the ends of the walls having extensions projecting toward each other beyond their body portions, and gussets which said extensions partially overlie permitting the gussets to expand and contract, and horizontal lacing interconnecting the elements and the gussets, the extensions having openings for loop portions of the lacing.

6. A handbag having side walls having horizontal rows of decorative elements, the main body portions of the elements lying in the planes of their respective side walls, those elements lying along the ends of the walls having extensions projecting toward each other beyond their body portions, and gussets which said extensions partially overlie permitting the gussets to expand and. contract, and horizontal lacing interconnecting the elements and the gussets, the extensions having openings for loop portions of the lacing, the extensions having reenforcing ribs therefor on the outside thereof along which the loop portions extend.

7. A handbag having side walls having horizontal rows of decorative elements, the main body portions of the elements lying in the planes of their respective side walls, those elements lying along the ends of the walls having extensions projecting toward each other beyond their body portions, and gussets which said extensions partially overlie permitting the gussets to expand and contract, said lacing being horizontal and interconnecting the elements and the gussets along spaced lines lying generally centrally of rows formed by the elements, said extensions constituting tabs spaced from each other and overlying the gussets in central relation to the lacing.

8. A handbag having side walls having horizontal rows of decorative elements, flexible means horizontally mounting the rows of elements, and end gussets connected to the flexible means at the ends of the rows, the elements having adjacent to the gussets extensions each of which extends beyond the main body of its element and overlies and conceals the connection between the gusset and the flexible means at the different rows.

9. A handbag according to claim 8 wherein the said extensions are at an oblique inward angle to the main bodies of the elements to bear inward on the gussets for deflecting the latter inward.

JANET SAMUELSON. 

